One in a Million

Stephanie nodded, then had to brush unexpected tears from her cheeks. She couldn't speak. Not without breaking into sobs. Control, she told herself. She had to get control.

Rebecca said something else, but Stephanie couldn't hear her. It took her a second to figure out that a loud noise had filled the sky. She looked up and saw a helicopter approaching,

“It's Nash,' Jason yelled as he scrambled to his feet.

Stephanie couldn't blame her son-that was her first thought, too. Even so, she told both him and herself it wasn't possible.

“Nash wouldn't take a helicopter back to Glenwood,' she said. Assuming he was even coming back.

But Jason didn't care. He raced toward the rear fence of the complex and swung open the gate. Adam was on his heels. As she got to her feet, Brett ran past her.

“It's Nash,' he called. 'Hurry!' She walked after them. Even if it was Nash, his return didn't mean anything had changed. She was going to have to talk with the boys tonight and remind them that Nash had been a guest and nothing more. They weren't She froze just inside the gate. Once again two sheriff's cars blocked off the street as the helicopterset down. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest as a tall, dark-haired man stepped out.

Her sons flung themselves at Nash. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but Nash bent low and hugged them all. Her eyes filled with more tears. She couldn't do this, she thought. She couldn't pretend she didn't care, which meant she was about to make a fool out of herself in a very public way.

But even the threat of humiliation didn't stop her from running toward him.

Nash straightened and held out his arms. She crashed into him and hung on, knowing she never wanted to let go. She wanted to be with this man forever. Did she have the courage to tell him the truth? Did she really think she could hide it?

“I missed you,' he whispered, wrapping his arms around her so tightly she could barely breathe. 'Every minute.' The intensity of his words gave her hope. 'Me, too.' He kissed her hard, then pulled back enough to look at her face. His dark eyes blazed with a fire she'd never seen before. 'I want to change the rules,' he said. 'I don't want to be a temporary guest. I don't want to leave. I want to make things complicated and messy and permanent. I love you, Stephanie. I love you in ways I've never loved anyone before. I want to marry you and grow old with you. I want us to have one of those marriages that makes young couples sigh with envy. I want to have a baby with you. If the legend is true, you'll even get that girl you want.' She couldn't speak, couldn't think, couldn't do anything but listen to the melodic sound of his perfect words. He loved her? Really?

“You love me?'

“Yeah. Are you shocked?' Relief and happiness and promise and hope swept through her making her feel as if she could float on air.

“I'm stunned,' she said, then kissed him. 'I love you, too. I know I wasn't supposed to, but I couldn't help myself.'

“I'm not about to complain. Will you marry me, Stephanie? I know we have a lot of details to work out, but they're just logistics. I can relocate. Hell, I can get a different job. I just want to be with you and the boys.' Someone tugged on her T-shirt. She looked down and saw her kids standing next to them.

“Say yes, Mom,' Brett told her.

Nash chuckled. 'Okay, guys, we need a little privacy.' The boys grumbled, but took a few steps back. He turned back to her.

“I know the last time you ran off with someone you'd only known a few weeks, it was a disaster. So if you want to take things slow, I'll understand. I want to be a partner in this marriage. I want us to take care of each other. It's not going to be one-sided, but I'm willing to prove that to you, rather than have you take my word.'

“Oh, Nash.' She leaned against him and sighed. 'You've already proved that a hundred times over. I love you and I want to be with you always.' She looked into his eyes. 'Yes, I'll marry you. There's nothing I want more.'

“All right.' Nash pulled her off her feet and swung her around. 'She said yes,' he yelled.

There was a collective cheer. For the first time she noticed the Haynes/Harmon/Reynolds clan had gathered around them.

“We have an audience,' she murmured.

“I know. They're my family. Your family, now. Maybe we should give them a show.' He lowered her back to the ground and pressed his mouth to hers. It was a kiss of love, of passion and promise. Stephanie responded in kind, as words of congratulations washed over them.

My family, Nash had said with pride. He was no longer the man on the outside, looking in, she thought happily. He'd become a part of them, and of her. He'd come home.

SUSAN MALLERY

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